The Lake District has more than sixteen lakes and numerous tarns plus a stretch of coastline. So there's plenty of opportunity to go rowing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing or simply splash about on the shore.
The following four lakes all have watersport centres, and places where you can hire boats, including rowing boats and electric boats:
Have a great family day out on Coniston Water. Book motor boats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards at Coniston online.
Taking a cruise is a great way to experience the beautiful Lake District views. Combining a one-way cruise with a bus, walk or cycle can be a great way to travel around a lake in a day.
These lakes have passenger boats with multiple stops:
Windermere Lake Cruises - stops at Lakeside, Ferry House, Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere Jetty, Bark Barn Pier, Wray Castle, Brockhole on Windermere and Ambleside.
Windermere lake guide shows piers, jetties and towns around the lake
Ullswater Steamers - stops at Glenridding, Aira Force, Howtown and Pooley Bridge.
Ullswater lake guide shows all piers, jetties and boat routes
National Trust Gondoloa - stops at Coniston Boating Centre, Brantwood and Lake Bank Jetty.
Coniston Launch - stops at Coniston Boating Centre, Waterhead, Brantwood, Sunny Bank, Lake Bank Jetty.
Coniston Water lake guide shows all piers, jetties and boat routes
Keswick Launch - stops at Keswick, Ashness Gate, Lodore, High Brandelhow, Low Brandelhow, Hawes End, Lingholm and Nichol End.
Park and Sail - park at Keswick Rugby Club for just £4 a day and get 15% off Keswick Launch tickets. The best way to reach the West side of the lake and Cat Bells, where there is very limited parking.
Derwentwater lake guide shows all piers and jetties
The National Park includes 26 miles of coastline and estuaries. The coast, from Seascale to Millom, is quite different to the rest of the National Park.
Here you can enjoy dramatic views across open sea and into the high fells. Where the rivers of the western Lake District meet the sea there are dunes and estuaries rich with sea life and the birds which feed on it. There are lots of places where you can launch anything from a windsurfer to a small boat.
Find out more in our The Coast of the Lake District National Park leaflet (PDF)
Invasive non-native species of wildlife can hitchhike on equipment, footwear, clothing and boats. You may inadvertently spread the aliens even if you just go for a paddle! Every time you leave any water such as a river, tarn or lake: